Ch.70 – The Star Around The Sun

After getting into the car, Xia Xingcheng curiously asked Yang Youming, “Who exactly are we visiting?” 

Yang Youming hadn’t taken off his down jacket, but the front was unzipped. He said, “Do you know Ren Yuchang?”

Xia Xingcheng let out an “Ah”, slightly surprised, but quickly added, “Of course I know Ren Yuchang.” He stared at Yang Youming, “In your heart, am I that ignorant and incompetent that I’m in showbiz just to fool around?”

Ren Yuchang was a well-known older generation filmmaker in China. He directed and produced a number of movies that had garnered international praise. But they were all old movies, and it wasn’t at all surprising for young people to have never heard of them.

Yang Youming chuckled lightly as he said, “We’re paying Teacher Ren a visit.”

Xia Xingcheng understood. Immediately after, he asked, “That Ren Jingyuan?”

Yang Youming said, “Ren Jingyuan is Teacher Ren’s grandson.”

Xia Xingcheng suddenly realized–Ren Jianyuan’s career had been smooth sailing since his debut. He was constantly invited to various variety shows and films. Everyone knew that he had a powerful family background, but this was the first time Xia Xingcheng heard anyone mention that Ren Jingyuan was Ren Yuchang’s grandson.

He tilted his head against the back of the seat, his fingers playing with the woolen hat he wore his way out. No wonder Chen Hailan took such good care of Ren Jingyuan. He was a little envious. Later, he thought, why should he envy him? He has Yang Youming. It was the rest of the world who should be envious of him.

After driving for more than ten minutes, the car entered an uphill path that was blocked off by a gate, with low walls extending out on both sides of the road. The car drove through the gate and into a courtyard. It was obvious that the owner had paid special attention to the design. Lotus ponds and pavilions were readily available, and although it was winter, it didn’t appear bleak–there were several plum trees in bloom on the side of the road, its branches covered with bits of pale yellow. 

At the end of the path was a two-story villa, and in front of the villa stood a tall and handsome young man. Xia Xingcheng looked through the window to find that it was Ren Jingyuan. 

Ren Jingyuan was dressed in a simple sweatshirt, and he laughed as he waved at their car. 

As the car stopped, Xia Xingcheng had just gotten off the car when he heard Chen Hailan say to Ren Jingyuan, “Aren’t you cold? Hurry up and get in the house.”

Ren Jingyuan didn’t seem to feel cold at all. He looked very energetic as he walked up to Yang Youming to greet him.

Yang Youming nodded and greeted him, “Is Teacher Ren well?” 

Ren Jingyuan said, “He’s in good spirits. He was still out waiting on his flowers and plants this morning.” He laughed again and gave a nod to Xia Xingcheng, “You actually showed up, I thought I wouldn’t be able to ask you out to play.” 

Xia Xingcheng was actually not familiar with Ren Jingyuan, but in this circle, you had to make acquaintances on your own. Sometimes, connections are more important than strength, so he smiled and said, “I was really sick a couple of days ago. Aren’t I showing up on my own now?” 

At a distance away, Qin Xueyue, who had just got off the car, trotted inside the house while shouting that it was cold.

Chen Hailan also greeted them, “Don’t stand outside and talk. Let’s talk inside.”

Ren Jingyuan hurriedly called out to Yang Youming and Xia Xingcheng to follow him inside.

The room had floor heating, and Xia Xingcheng felt like he was wrapped up in a bundle of heat as soon as he stepped inside. He took off his down jacket, and Yang Youming took it in passing and handed it together with his own to the Rens’ housekeeper to hang up.

Xia Xingcheng met Ren Yuchang for the first time, a hale and hearty old gentleman who was already in his early seventies. He was tall and thin, and there was a gentle smile on his face.

When Ren Jingyuan introduced Qin Xueyue to Ren Yuchang, he said that she was the friend he had invited, and Ren Yuchang laughed and asked, “Girlfriend? 

Ren Jingyuan and Qin Xueyue promptly denied this at the same time. After that, Ren Jingyuan introduced Xia Xingcheng in passing, also mentioning that he was his friend. Yet he hadn’t yet figured out the situation and thought that Xia Xingcheng had come with Qin Xueyue and Chen Hailan. 

Ren Yuchang shook hands with Xia Xingcheng. He had a small tremor that was common in the elderly, and his palm was dry, a layer of skin directly wrapping his bones. 

After that, Ren Yuchang invited everyone to sit down, and boiled water on the tea tray in front of him with his own hands to make tea for the guests.

Xia Xingcheng listened as Yang Youming and Chen Hailan talked to Ren Yuchang. They all called him Teacher Ren, evidently very familiar with him. Everyone had just entered the house, and the conversation was nothing more than exchanging pleasantries, asking about the old man’s health and chatting about the beautiful and secluded environment on the mountain.   

Xia Xingcheng appraised the living room, looking at the landscape paintings hanging on the wall. There was a bamboo display shelf with ceramics that were unrecognizable to Xia Xingcheng. Behind the wooden chairs he and Yang Youming were sitting on was a floor-to-ceiling window that overlooked a small garden. There were two big dogs in the garden. A husky pressed its face against the glass to peer inside, its nose squashed flat. 

While they talked, the sound of footsteps treading on the wooden stairs came down from the second floor. Xia Xingcheng turned to look and saw a long-haired girl coming from the direction of the stairs. The girl dressed in a pure white loose sweater and skinny jeans. Her long hair fell above her waist, and her small face was palm-sized, her features extremely good looking.

Without warning, Xia Xingcheng thought of Yuan Qian the moment he saw her. It wasn’t that they looked alike, but her looks were stunning at first glance, which reminded one of Yuan Qian.

The girl slowed down her pace as she neared them.

Xia Xingcheng turned around and saw Yang Youming looking at her. In fact, everyone in the room was looking at her, but Xia Xingcheng could only pay attention to Yang Youming.

Ren Jingyuan stood up right then and said, “This is my younger cousin, Ling Jiayue.” 

Ren Yuchang also said to Yang Youming and Chen Hailan, “Tingting’s daughter.” 

Xia Xingcheng didn’t know who Tingting was, guessing that she was Ren Yuchang’s daughter.

Chen Hailan said, “We’ve met before, Jiayue. I even said that she looks like Ting jie at the time, too pretty.”

Ren Yuchang beckoned his granddaughter to greet the guests. The honorifics in the room were a little disorderly. She called Xia Xingcheng ‘gege’ and Qin Xueyue ‘jiejie’, and addresed Chen Hailan and Yang Youming ‘ge’. To Yang Youming in particular, Xia Xingcheng heard her softly call out “Ming ge,” her pale cheeks immediately flushing a little. She lowered her head, hiding behind her long hair, and sat down on the empty chair opposite Yang Youming. 

The topic of conversation turned to Ling Jiayue.

Xia Xingcheng then noticed that Yang Youming had been looking at Ling Jiayue. He sat up a little straighter and, as if unintentionally, pressed his slipper-clad foot against Yang Youming’s.

Their chairs were very close to each other’s, and when Xia Xingcheng stuck his foot against the man’s, his left knee also touched Yang Youming’s right knee.

Yang Youming’s face remained unchanged. He only leaned back, his arms bent naturally on the armrest of the chair, and it happened to touch Xia Xingcheng’s arm, gently rubbing against it.

Ling Jiayue, who sat on the other side, never raised her head, smiling shyly. No one noticed their little movements. 

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⟵ Chapter 69 | TOC | Chapter 71 ⟶